By sheldonwongg
Less than 24 hours in Kathmandu and I’m currently reflecting on everything that has happened leading up to finally getting to leave for Nepal. Rewind six months to when I first applied to a study abroad program, and I’ve learned a lot about the do’s and don’ts of preparing to study and live in a country that you’ve never been to before. Here is a comprehensive, no fluff guide to how you can maximize your time pre-study abroad and prepare yourself an experience of a lifetime.
Get Started Early
If you have any inkling of where you want to go or what you want to study, start researching as soon as possible! I guarantee that you will be overwhelmed and probably change your mind about your program at least five times. Look into the different programs that are available, what they offer, how the programs are structure, and how credit gets transferred back to school so that you can pick the program that works best with your needs. Knowing your options early gives you the opportunity to sit on your decision for a little bit. If you still want to attend the program you chose after a week or two, then you know it’s the program for you
Don’t Follow Someone Else
There are literally hundreds of study abroad programs to choose from. Don’t let yourself get boxed into choosing something based on someone else’s opinion or where your friends are going. You’ll be a lot more excited about going abroad if you choose a country or program that really corresponds to your passions. Don’t get me wrong, Europe is a great place, but the world is a big place. When I started my study abroad search, I didn’t even know that Nepal would be an option for a program.
Packing for Study Abroad
Learn to be a Minimalist
So my experience packing for a developing country with the expectation that I would have to lug all of my luggage by hand through unpaved roads and the Himalayan Mountains is very different from someone packing for a developed country staying in a dorm, but the rule still applies! I ended up only bringing a 60L hiking backpack, a duffle bag, and my school backpack. In general, you will be going to a country with the intent of immersing yourself in the local culture, so make room for the clothes, souvenirs, gifts, and random knick-knacks you’ll inevitably inquire during your time there. Leave the room decorations, stuffed animals, musical instruments, and endless supply of American snacks at home, they’ll be waiting for you when you get back. A good rule of thumb to follow if you haven’t worn or uses that item in the last three months, then if probably doesn’t need to go in the suitcase.
Bring Things to Leave Behind
Consider bringing clothing, big sized toiletries, or equipment that can be left behind at the end of your program. It’ll help you not over pack and you’ll have room to bring back all your souvenirs at the end. I brought some old shirts that I was ready to donate, big sized toiletries, and gifts for my homestay family that took up space in my luggage going to Nepal, but It might be difficult to leave behind things you may need, especially if you are an over-packer like me, but the you at the end of study abroad will be thanking the you from the beginning of study abroad.
Go Without Expectations
It’s important to do your research about a country before you get there, but a video or blog will never do the country justice. And your experience will always be unique to another person’s. The best thing you can do is to go there with an open mind ready to absorb everything that your experience.